...put a ring on it. Instead of lookin' for love, you're now looking for the perfect ring: something old (in a good way), new (but not superspendy)...something artful, something you! Okay so I won't quit my day job to take up poetry-writing; instead, I'll stick to what I know...like the fact that Engagement Couture knows for antique and Edwardian engagement rings. They're based in the historic center of downtown Los Angeles within the 12-block enclave of more than 3,000 jewelry & watch wholesalers, repair specialists, importers and designers who all call the L.A. Jewelry District home.
They design their own bling at can-do prices, backed up by a 30-day risk free exchange on all jewelry orders. Next-Day Fedex shipping is also included, whether you're thinking you want something stackable which is way more fun than just a single (lonely) band, a fancy-schmany yellow stone or one of the signature Edwardian designs for which Engagement Couture is known. All I can say is "good luck" tryin' to choose and be sure to take your sweet time when you view the collection.
- Lesley Scott
[Note: This was written in partnership with Engagement Couture. The words are mine.}
"When we started to do punk, I think it was the first time people saw clothes like ours and they could buy them from our little shop," reminsces the designer credited with bringing the punk aesthetic into the fashion mainstream. "No one was wearing anything like it. When we started to do punk, we put all of these things together to create the look of an urban guerilla - a rebel. It was a creation that evolved through our shop." Currently called Worlds End, it was also SEX, Let it Rock, Too Fast To Live Too Young To Die & Seditionaries - during which time it highlighted the straps and zips of then-obscure sexual fetishism, creating some delicious social shockwaves.
And the fun is back with "Chaos", a special limited edition capsule collection plundered straight from the archive, starting with the early 70s & through to the present. HIghlights include prints like "Cowboy" and "Tits", the DIY tee - two rectangles of fabric sewn together roughly & then emblazoned with "YOURSELF" - and the Climate Revolution tee from S/S'13. To add some shock & awe to your lapel, why not start by pinning on a penis; just tell any dubious bystanders its the Pagan symbol of fertility (be sure keep a straight face when doing so).
The much-loved Seditionaries boots from the late 70s are back in green canvas with tan leather trim, just the way the Sex Pistols wore 'em in London. (image) Bondage dresses are of course available, as well as garments printed to look like they've had red wine spilled on them and were stained with grass - which reminded me of William S. Burroughs dandies in The Wild Boys who sported spendy bespoke suits "that appear to be stained with urine and vomit which on closer inspection turn out to be intricate embroideries of fine gold thread."
Arm candy includes the Africa bags, created in collaboration with the International Trade Centre - an initiative by the World Trade Organization & the United Nations - to create stability in impoverished communities and replace charity
handouts with opportunities to work.
Which is all good, but what I really love is the fact it's emblazoned with what I've decided is my mantra in life.
Now that we've staycationed ourselves into a comfortably-cocoony bliss, many of us are ready to venture out again. But differently than before, meaning cheaper and custom-planned, a phenom dubbed the smart-cation. "Smart-cation is planning a vacation that’s right for your interests that uses all of the tools that are out there now to save money," explains travel writer Pauline Frommer. "If you plan your vacation smartly, you can literally shave 30-35 percent off compared to somebody who throws their hats in the air and says, 'oh we'll just go here.' Some ways you save are renting an apartment or a condo rather than doing a hotel. People save a good 30% that way, especially families when you factor in the cost of not having to eat every meal at a restaurant."
Interestingly, the planning part seems to combine the best of staycationing with the joy of anticipating the upcoming trip. Researchers found that when people decided to take a vacay, they were happiest when they were planning it & anticipating their upcoming break. Once they returned home, within two weeks the vacay-glow disappeared & their happiness levels plummeted back to the same levels as people who didn't get away. And within two short months, it was as if they hadn't ever gone away. The researchers advice? Skip the longer annual vacation in favor of shorter breaks spread throughout the year, each lasting around 2-6 days.
So the best way to get your vacay on starts right at home, with dreaming and plotting and planning. "I think the planning can be a lot of fun if you allow it to be, if you don’t stress about it," continues Frommer. "A lot of people spend time planning reading novels about the place they are going or histories or dreaming a lot." Be sure then to savor the trip-planning part as, in some ways, it doesn't get much better. My two cents, or actually, two words: cashmere chic. When you armchair travel making your pre-trip preparations, keep it cozy from your neck all the way down to your toes.
GET THE LOOK: leopard-print cashmere robe - Magaschoni; cashmere playsuit - Madeleine Thompson; cashmere slippers - White & Warren; cushion - FS Home Collections on JulesB.com; Kindle - Amazon.com; "Vacation Planning" via MexicoVacationRental.org
Yes, I know you probably tell time using your phone that's oh so smart. But is that really very smart? Especially if you consider yourself a card-carrying fashion person. Thought so. Why waste the chance to show off impeccable taste in accessories & project your style, be it classic, more retro & throwback to a more elegant era, or straight out street. So whether you have a jones on for...
...something pop-art bright in taxicab yellow, hot pink or lime;
...a cool white-is-right timepiece;
...something "Juicy" in pretty pink;
...a very Gatsby'esque deco one like this Bulova (right);
...a rubber one by 01 that reminded me of those awesome old-school Casio calculator watches;
...or you wanna get super-spendy and strap on a pre-loved classic Rolex mens watch on your wrist (women's wrists were made for showing off giant men's Rolexes...no?)...
the Branded Watch Shop is a good place to peruse & then purchase. The come highly recommended & have the brands & pricepoints you're on the hunt for.
Be sure to friend 'em on FB because Watch Shop UK does giveaways, most recently a solar-powere black & stainless steel Casio G-Shock with a resin strap.
- Lesley Scott
[Note: This was written in partnership with the Branded Watch Shop. The words are mine.]
When Greg Chait won the 2012 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund contest, I have to admit I was quite surprised. Not because of how cool and understatedly-fabulous his spendy cashmere goodies are, but because they're so understated & so fash-insidery. So kudos to the judges for giving The Elder Statesman the look it deserves - part of winning the contest meant the chance to design for J.Crew. This blanket is the highlight of the just-launched capsule collection and at $1500, more than many people's monthly rent check. However, thanks to the Chait touch, it'll last longer than you (probably). "I was buying and collecting blankets before I started making them," notes Chait, whose appointment-only atelier in West Hollywood is a treasure trove of cashmere, cashmere & more cashmere. "I've always been interested in well-made things."
One of my fave trends hands down....all the way down to my grateful feet is the smoking slipper. This fabulous footwear has been making shoe shopping fun again. For years, I was a heels-uber-alles kinda girl, but no longer - and really, there aren't many occasions in life when flats aren't perfectly fine. But not just any flats. Cute isn't optional. Neither is quality. Charles Philip Shanghai makes these by hand, padding the sole and lining the interior for comfort. I also love the gold finish because that means there's not much in the closet they won't go with. Here, I paired them with some breezy wide-leg pants in a cotton stripe - 'cuz stripes and prints just look so cute & cheery with touches of brights, neons & metallics.
GET THE LOOK: trousers - Marni; tee - James Perse; necklace - Emilio Pucci; straw fedora - Maison Michel Virginie; bag - Gucci; shoes - Charles Philip Shanghai (all via Net-a-Porter.com)
Fashionistas have but one purpose in life: getting dolled up & as an added bonus, getting photographed! However, if a side effect is that a good cause benefits, then 'sall good. The French fashionistrix recently curated a catwalk's worth of gold looks made just for "The Ultimate Gold Collection Fashion Show" which will stream during Cannes on the World Gold Council's LoveGold.com. Part of the 20th *Cinema Against AIDS to benefit amfAR*, the designers being showcased include Chanel, Burberry, Roberto Cavalli, Armani, Shiatzy Chen and Tarun Tahiliani - and their creations will be walking the eRunway on mannequins illustrated by Lula Herself. Which is kind of a fun idea, no?
"The Ultimate Gold Collection Fashion Show” will stream on May 23, 2013 (Thursday) at 9pm (CET). To see what the Tweeples think, be sure to follow #lovegoldcannes.
...were designed by the British brand Oliver Goldsmith, which was founded in London in 1926.
Of late, they've begun opening their vintage archive each year and re-issuing past favorites, including this pair that so famously helped Holly Golightly - & stylishly. Handmade in Italy, they're flattering, timeless without looking too retro and worst of all: in addition to the green-lensed "Dark Tortoiseshell" which breakfasted in such high style, there are three other colors you'll need to try and choose between.
Market Cross Jewellers
recently relaunched their site with a new look and since any & all makeovers should be celebrated in style, they're giving one lucky jewelry lover the change to win a £250 credit to spend online. The winner will be chosen on May 31, 2013, so don't lollygag about waiting to enter the giveaway.
Market Cross is one of the largest indie jewelers in the North East of England and they have a good selection of designer watches including Breitling, Cartier, Omega, Rado and second hand Rolex - talk about right on, er, time, given fancy timepieces are back! After perusing the diamond rings from Canadian Ice - which are mined in the country's Northwest Territories by Harry Winston and cut in Chiang Mai - I promptly spotted at least 15 pieces of flair I had to have, like the chic Gucci link bracelet (top), some funky/fun Troll Beads, a Swarovski silver iPhone case, a super-elegant Cross fountain pen & a sweet silver wishbone charm with a clover by Hot Diamonds. And because I personally adore the look of a hefty men's timepiece on my wrist, this $60,000+ "previously loved" platinum Pearlmaster Day-Date studded with enough diamonds to put a disco ball to shame.
- Lesley Scott
[Note: This was written in partnership with Market Cross Jewellers. The words are mine.]
This year, the must-have-don't-leave-your-house-without-it shoe is the pointy white pump. It can be kitteny in height or it can be skyscraper'y; it can be shiny patent leather or soft matte lambskin; it can be cheap or it can be spendy. What it isn't is optional. Here's a fun way to wear it with coordinating icy-cool accessories and a sassy sundress the shade of a sugary sorbet.
GET THE LOOK: sundress - Anna Sui; leather biker - Acne; pumps - Reiss; earrings - Marni; sunnies - Alexander Wang; lip gloss - Dolce & Gabbana
The beginning of summer is a great time for you to slim down...but not the contents of your wallet. But there's no denying that half (or more) of the fun of a new fashion season is the shopping! Which is why this big sale at Debenhams is right on time. As a reward for your shopping prowess, you can snag up to 25% off swimwear & loungewear, dresses, shoes, lingerie, gifts, home decor, mens- & kidswear, designer & whatever other discounted goodies catch your attention throughout the store or online. All fragrance and beauty is 10% off which is a sign from the Sunscreen Gods to be sure to stock up which you're getting your sale on.
- Lesley Scott
[Note: This was written in partnership with Debenhams. The words are mine.]
"No matter how busy and hectic life becomes always remember to love life and stay romantic," advises Jade Moss, a fashion entrepreneur who has worn a chic variety of hats in the business, collaborating along the way with Topshop, ASOS and director Hermann Vaske. Her cute indie label Kissing in Traffic is hand-made in London studio by her talented team of fashion grads & has a great assortment of the graphic prints & fab florals your spring/summer wardrobe has been begging you to stock up on.
With summer fast approaching, Swedish street-wear brand WeSC is channeling an Island Goddess vibe for the season. These easy/breezy pieces make for some stylishly smooth sailing into fall & one of these cute Polarized G-Shock DW6900s (love the white one especially!) is right on time...or fashionably late, whichever you prefer.
- Will clothes biodegrade? - Will our outfits monitor our health? - Will climate change refugees spread new fashion influences around the world? - Will a shortage of raw materials see us renting our clothes from libraries? - Will technological advances make it common to grow what we wear?
To try & answer these questions, Levi Strauss & Co. and sustainability experts Forum for the Future teamed up on FASHION FUTURES - a collaboration of fashion experts from every area of the biz, including manufacturing, design and retail, as well as universities, trade unions and NGOs. The mission? To think-through possible scenarios for the future of fashion, starting with the raw materials and following them all the way up the chain to use & final disposal. “The global fashion industry generates a trillion dollars a year. What
we wear –- and how it's made and sold –- can have a huge positive impact
on our society and environment, "explains Peter Madden,
Chief Executive of the Forum on how fashion could (and should) continue
to develop leaner and greener. “For the fashion industry to be
sustainable economically, it must be sustainable socially and
environmentally too,“ adds John Anderson,
(then) President and Chief Executive Officer of Levi Strauss & Co.
In "Someday" (right), Isabel & Ruben Toledoo predict: "Intelligent textile technology will allow fabrics to react to sensory cures; fashion will interact with its wearer and its surroundings." From left: fabric infused with liquid form-cells; fiber lights to make luminous clothing that lights up the night; fashions made from fibers that expand & contract, shaping your silhouette du jour on demand. (illustration: source)
The recent surge in popularity of all things artisanal (yummm....bread), small batch (fitness, anyone?) and the custom-made (like a personalized, print-on-demand exoskeleton) reflects a social pattern more fundamental than what is, in essence, various ways to monogram your stuff, your activies, your life. Rather, we're all suck of being spun by big brands - straight into the poorhouse, the hospital, possibly an early grave. They promise all the things they promise during the Superbowl, in the print glossies, at giant music festivals, but what you end up buying is often shoddy, produced on the backs of exploited labor & most worrisome: actually dangerous to your health.
The backlash, of course, is to buy locally, choose handmade over mass produced & $upport stuff crafted by folks you trust. The experts at the Color Association of the United States, CAUS, have dubbed this Against the Grain. However, in honor of this amaze crafty-yet-cool beaded-rope stiletto which is, of course, sold out...but a girl can still dream, so I promptly renamed it: Against the Odds.
